Mayweather Pacquiao Press Conference Today

[Shambles]

The only press conference before fight week is at 8:30 this evening, anyone watching?

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/watch-l ... onference/

[handsofstone]

I only seen what SSN showed but it looked dour as feck,same as the fight I'll assume

[Stuarty]

Watched a stream of it online. Very dull and subdued! A bunch of folk thanking hundreds of other folk I've never heard of for what a great job they've all done making the fight happen! Utter bollux!

[handsofstone]

Watched a stream of it online. Very dull and subdued! A bunch of folk thanking hundreds of other folk I've never heard of for what a great job they've all done making the fight happen! Utter bollux!

that's exactly what I got from it

[Kilburn]

5 or 6 years ago we could have had a nice little Duran v Leonard on our hands. A genuine super fight.

Now we're getting, well something closer to Duran v Leonard 3. I don't see how the action can possibly live up to the build up.

[Boxing Prospect]

We got a history lesson from Bob Arum as well! Something about the holocaust and the Philippines

[jameswilson]

Lomachenko is one of the undercard fights. Anyone heard any rumblings on any of the others? Leo Santa Cruz vs a Mexican binman is usually a popular one.

[Sklar]

24/7 (or whatever it's called), social media and the weigh-in will create the fight-week buys. Press conferences are fast becoming old hat.

[mfc_se15]

We got a history lesson from Bob Arum as well! Something about the holocaust and the Philippines

That was about the only bit I saw live it convinced me to not bother watching and just read a few articles to find out what was said....which wasn't a lot.

[stujones]

What Freddie Roach said might be most telling "Floyd's legs are shot" - from his last two performances I think he is right.

Floyd is more aged than Manny IMO and it is a closer fight than what it was 5 years ago. Still favour Floyd, but not confident with that pick - the man struggled with Maidana - no one would pick Maidana over Manny.

I think the closest comparison is a previous fight is Hagler vs Leonard (minus a long lay off) - arguably the two premier P4P fighters in 1987 (okay I know about Leonards layoff), both past their prime, still though capable of beating the best in the devision - but some up coming fighters from other divisions possibly now with a claim to being the number #1 P4P based on excitement and recent performances but not achievements (e.g. back in 1987 we had Tyson, Chavez etc; now its GGG, Rigo etc).

I think comparison with Leonard vs Duran 3 is a bit harsh, these are still THE two premier fighters whereas by 1989 there would have been a number of fighters in their weight division that would have started warm favourites against Leonard or Duran.

[Gazmac81]

he didnt struggle with maidana in the 2nd fight and was more Light on his feet , i think the first fight he sat on ropes to much and maidana was on top form that night and rough as hell.

i think if pacs going to win ( and i hope he does ) is going need to be raiding tactics in with combos back out withouth floyd landing much.

Floys will need have his jab razor sharp also .


its defo intresting but i dont see a Great fight but its all about the occasion and who wins for most , id imagine everyone will be complaining the next day about what a let down it was anyway.

i hope its a classic though.

[dbf]

I was watching in anticipation wondering if they would let Sr speak. And when Ellerbee mentioned him and he went to stand up and then sat down again, well that was the highlight.

Nothing new learnt except that both look in decent nick already - pac looking trimmer than he usually does at this stage.

[danamba7]

Good to see Bieber involved in some of the photos. Always good to have a true boxing lad around who in no way is in it for the publicity

[freddydoesdallas]

What Freddie Roach said might be most telling "Floyd's legs are shot" - from his last two performances I think he is right.

Floyd is more aged than Manny IMO and it is a closer fight than what it was 5 years ago. Still favour Floyd, but not confident with that pick - the man struggled with Maidana - no one would pick Maidana over Manny.

I think the closest comparison is a previous fight is Hagler vs Leonard (minus a long lay off) - arguably the two premier P4P fighters in 1987 (okay I know about Leonards layoff), both past their prime, still though capable of beating the best in the devision - but some up coming fighters from other divisions possibly now with a claim to being the number #1 P4P based on excitement and recent performances but not achievements (e.g. back in 1987 we had Tyson, Chavez etc; now its GGG, Rigo etc).

I think comparison with Leonard vs Duran 3 is a bit harsh, these are still THE two premier fighters whereas by 1989 there would have been a number of fighters in their weight division that would have started warm favourites against Leonard or Duran.

Have to disagree with the part about Mayweather being more aged than Manny. Manny has lost that extra bit of speed along with his brain that took him apart from other fighters and made him see gaps and get away. He still sees them now but can't get in or away as quick which reduces his effectiveness.

Mayweather's skills are in a much better shape in my view and the only reason Freddie Roach has brought this up is because he is a bitter man when it comes to Mayweather.

[stevieb_8006]

What Freddie Roach said might be most telling "Floyd's legs are shot" - from his last two performances I think he is right.

Floyd is more aged than Manny IMO and it is a closer fight than what it was 5 years ago. Still favour Floyd, but not confident with that pick - the man struggled with Maidana - no one would pick Maidana over Manny.

I think the closest comparison is a previous fight is Hagler vs Leonard (minus a long lay off) - arguably the two premier P4P fighters in 1987 (okay I know about Leonards layoff), both past their prime, still though capable of beating the best in the devision - but some up coming fighters from other divisions possibly now with a claim to being the number #1 P4P based on excitement and recent performances but not achievements (e.g. back in 1987 we had Tyson, Chavez etc; now its GGG, Rigo etc).

I think comparison with Leonard vs Duran 3 is a bit harsh, these are still THE two premier fighters whereas by 1989 there would have been a number of fighters in their weight division that would have started warm favourites against Leonard or Duran.

Have to disagree with the part about Mayweather being more aged than Manny. Manny has lost that extra bit of speed along with his brain that took him apart from other fighters and made him see gaps and get away. He still sees them now but can't get in or away as quick which reduces his effectiveness.

Mayweather's skills are in a much better shape in my view and the only reason Freddie Roach has brought this up is because he is a bitter man when it comes to Mayweather.

I agree. Defensive fighters always tend to age better.

[stujones]

Freddy,

Fair enough - just thought there was a period, even in the Maidana rematch where after a fanastic start, Maidana tagged him and it took Mayweather a long time recover - he needed his defensive mastery (which he still has in general) to recover. If it wasn't the effect of the punch, then it was an issue with his stamina.

Floyd of a few years before would have shaken it off much quicker and responded much better than he did this time..... bare in mind his opposition was among the weaker of fighters he has fought as a champion. I'll never forget how he responded when tagged by Mosley, it was as if he needed two rounds to shake of the effects of the punches and it seemed to change the rest of his fight tactics.

Roach might be bitter, but he can sometimes absolutely nail it when a fighter is shot - said it about DLH vs Steve Forbes and IMO it was the rematch with Maidana, more so than the first fight that got me thinking about Floyd's legs.... first fight I can excuse him for getting his tactics wrong, taking Maidana lightly etc - the conern I have is that Floyd started brilliant (as good as I have seen him in years) for the first 2 and a bit rounds of the rematch - but didn't sustain that brilliant start.... Maidana was awful in the rematch.

I think it is a bit difficult to gauge Manny on recent fights, cos he has fought smaller men in recent years. Guys moving up to fight him at 147.... when Manny was going through his destructive period he was fighting bigger men.... looking back people like Cotto were tailor made for him. Marquez gave a peak Manny fits.... for me JMM beat Manny 4 times out of 4.

[stujones]

Stevie - in the main you are correct, but in this case Floyd is 38 and not always been the ultimate professional. Manny though is a little bit younger and although had the tougher career might have been more professional throughout it.

Yes, offensive fighters when they "go", find it difficult to get into range, pull the trigger and it impacts on their accuracy, a moving target becomes their worst nightmare - but is Floyd the same moving target he once was? "Shot" aggressive fighters can still have good nights if they select their opponents correctly - look at Duran and Chavez winning fights in their 40's against the right type of opponent. Defensive fighters, when they go could lose to fighters that were not even in the same league as them before - Look at RJJ and Sugar Ray Leonard. Legs have gone, can't get out of the way of the punches.

[whiskey]

The press conference was absolutely crap.

"I wanna thank..."

[stevieb_8006]

Stevie - in the main you are correct, but in this case Floyd is 38 and not always been the ultimate professional. Manny though is a little bit younger and although had the tougher career might have been more professional throughout it.

Yes, offensive fighters when they "go", find it difficult to get into range, pull the trigger and it impacts on their accuracy, a moving target becomes their worst nightmare - but is Floyd the same moving target he once was? "Shot" aggressive fighters can still have good nights if they select their opponents correctly - look at Duran and Chavez winning fights in their 40's against the right type of opponent. Defensive fighters, when they go could lose to fighters that were not even in the same league as them before - Look at RJJ and Sugar Ray Leonard. Legs have gone, can't get out of the way of the punches.

I get your point, but I think you should research theirs out of the ring activities a little more. Floyd stays in shape all year round. Doesn't drink or smoke. Indulges in the odd bit of junk food. Manny by his own admission, was a big drinker right up to the margarito fight. Plus his whoring in his home country is the stuff of legend. Read his book.

As for the example of fighters you gave, RJJ was more an athletic specimen than a technically defensive genius. SRL lost in ill advised comebacks, not when he was an active fighter, plus he'd had a career fighting wars with the absolute elite (having faced adversary floyd hasn't come close to). Duran was also a lot more than simply a come forward aggressive fighter, he had defensive skills in abundance that were overlooked cos of his aggression.

[stujones]

Fair comment - although I would say Pacquiao is a bit more than just out and out aggression with no defensive - like Duran in that respect.... It certainly wasn't Duran's defensive qualities that got him through vs Barkley.

Not sure how much sparring etc Floyd did when in Jail.

My point was legs are important to defensive fighters, just as pulling the trigger is important in offense (and getting into position to pull the trigger) - for both its critical and when it starts to go, it can be catastrophic.... like DLH not being able to pull the trigger vs Manny (as well predicted by Roach based on the Forbes fight) and like Leonard - not just in the ill adviced comeback against Camacho - a faded Lightweight who would have had a mismatch had he fought Leonard at Light Middle in 1987, but pretty much all the fights post Hagler when he was relatively active.

Leonard was only 40 when he fought Camacho and 35 when he fought Norris. It can catch up with people at different times. There is real evidence it is catching up with Floyd. He lost rounds against a fighter he would have played with years ago (twice). It was apparently so close first time round that the public demanded a rematch.... even the 35 year old Manny is much better than Maidana.

Yes, we can say there is evidence for Manny also - he struggled against 2 A class fighters (Bradley and Marquez - Marquez he's always struggled with) but then dominated a couple of B- fighters. Would the Pacquiao of 2008/2009 also struggled with Bradley? Personally, I think style wise he would have always struggled somewhat against Bradley - Bradley is a clever fighter who is underestimated. I think Floyd of 2008/2009 would have marmalised the Pacquiao of the same time, but now I think Floyd has slowed he is playing more into Manny's hands more than how much Manny has slowed plays more into Floyd's hands.

If Manny does strike gold on May 2nd it will be a shame for Floyd because I don't think a Manny victory is a reflection on how these two would have matched in their prime. Just like both Camacho and Leonard were shot in 1996 but that result doesn't reflect a match up in their primes.

[stevieb_8006]

Fair comment - although I would say Pacquiao is a bit more than just out and out aggression with no defensive - like Duran in that respect.... It certainly wasn't Duran's defensive qualities that got him through vs Barkley.

Not sure how much sparring etc Floyd did when in Jail.

My point was legs are important to defensive fighters, just as pulling the trigger is important in offense (and getting into position to pull the trigger) - for both its critical and when it starts to go, it can be catastrophic.... like DLH not being able to pull the trigger vs Manny (as well predicted by Roach based on the Forbes fight) and like Leonard - not just in the ill adviced comeback against Camacho - a faded Lightweight who would have had a mismatch had he fought Leonard at Light Middle in 1987, but pretty much all the fights post Hagler when he was relatively active.

Leonard was only 40 when he fought Camacho and 35 when he fought Norris. It can catch up with people at different times. There is real evidence it is catching up with Floyd. He lost rounds against a fighter he would have played with years ago (twice). It was apparently so close first time round that the public demanded a rematch.... even the 35 year old Manny is much better than Maidana.

Yes, we can say there is evidence for Manny also - he struggled against 2 A class fighters (Bradley and Marquez - Marquez he's always struggled with) but then dominated a couple of B- fighters. Would the Pacquiao of 2008/2009 also struggled with Bradley? Personally, I think style wise he would have always struggled somewhat against Bradley - Bradley is a clever fighter who is underestimated. I think Floyd of 2008/2009 would have marmalised the Pacquiao of the same time, but now I think Floyd has slowed he is playing more into Manny's hands more than how much Manny has slowed plays more into Floyd's hands.

If Manny does strike gold on May 2nd it will be a shame for Floyd because I don't think a Manny victory is a reflection on how these two would have matched in their prime. Just like both Camacho and Leonard were shot in 1996 but that result doesn't reflect a match up in their primes.

i hope you are right cos I'd love to see manny win, but floyd can make people miss standing right in front of them. He's like toney in that respect. The point about jail is a good one, but he'd never looked better than vs Canelo or Guerrero.

Now we discuss it, I'm getting more excited for it, it's quite intriguing. I wasn't really fussed before with all the politics.

[Carbo]

Manny has lost that extra bit of speed along with his brain that took him apart from other fighters and made him see gaps and get away.

You think that Manny saw gaps and exploited them? That's Mayweather's game. I think that Manny just fired that big left down the pipe, and damn the torpedos.

What he does seem to have lost is the southpaw right hook, which for a while had started to become a real weapon. He just doesn't seem to get it off over the top of orthodox stance jabs in the way he used to, or have the footwork to pivot to spin under and out after it like he used to.

But I'm not sure Manny was ever a gap-picker.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Fair comment - although I would say Pacquiao is a bit more than just out and out aggression with no defensive - like Duran in that respect.... It certainly wasn't Duran's defensive qualities that got him through vs Barkley.

Not sure how much sparring etc Floyd did when in Jail.

My point was legs are important to defensive fighters, just as pulling the trigger is important in offense (and getting into position to pull the trigger) - for both its critical and when it starts to go, it can be catastrophic.... like DLH not being able to pull the trigger vs Manny (as well predicted by Roach based on the Forbes fight) and like Leonard - not just in the ill adviced comeback against Camacho - a faded Lightweight who would have had a mismatch had he fought Leonard at Light Middle in 1987, but pretty much all the fights post Hagler when he was relatively active.

Leonard was only 40 when he fought Camacho and 35 when he fought Norris. It can catch up with people at different times. There is real evidence it is catching up with Floyd. He lost rounds against a fighter he would have played with years ago (twice). It was apparently so close first time round that the public demanded a rematch.... even the 35 year old Manny is much better than Maidana.

Yes, we can say there is evidence for Manny also - he struggled against 2 A class fighters (Bradley and Marquez - Marquez he's always struggled with) but then dominated a couple of B- fighters. Would the Pacquiao of 2008/2009 also struggled with Bradley? Personally, I think style wise he would have always struggled somewhat against Bradley - Bradley is a clever fighter who is underestimated. I think Floyd of 2008/2009 would have marmalised the Pacquiao of the same time, but now I think Floyd has slowed he is playing more into Manny's hands more than how much Manny has slowed plays more into Floyd's hands.

If Manny does strike gold on May 2nd it will be a shame for Floyd because I don't think a Manny victory is a reflection on how these two would have matched in their prime. Just like both Camacho and Leonard were shot in 1996 but that result doesn't reflect a match up in their primes.

I entirely disagree - Duran's defence against Barkley was incredible, standing right in the pocket, blocking, parrying and generally nullifying Barkley's work, whilst landing his own shots.

One of my favourite performances by any fighter - showed just how great Duran was, the way he broke down the much bigger and naturally stronger man.

[stujones]

Fair cop James, but I think he had a slow stand in front of him fighter also helped. Duran didn't have to chase a ring or worry about pulling the trigger against Barkley.

[SNG]

24/7 (or whatever it's called), social media and the weigh-in will create the fight-week buys. Press conferences are fast becoming old hat.

Perhaps, but still, the one for Hatton Mayweather in town was great. Closest thing I'll ever see to the 80s type stuff with Leonard/Hagler etc